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Egyptian Mummification Craft Activities for Kids

  • Mar 27, 2020
  • 4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Mummification is one of the most fascinating topics to learn about in Ancient Egyptian history. And there is no better way to discover the intricacies of this process than becoming an Egyptian Embalmer and doing it for yourself (in craft style, of course!)


The Ancient Egyptians believed that when a person died their spirit travelled to the afterlife. But their body would need to be perfectly preserved for their spirit to return occasionally for sustenance. This is why they mummified their dead and placed them in a tomb, to provide the spirit (or Ka) with a haven on its long journey to the afterlife. Their tomb would need to be filled with all of the valuables they wished to take with them to the afterlife (perhaps a chariot to ride on, or your favourite toy to play with). But mummification was an expensive process, so mostly it was just the Pharaoh and wealthy nobles that were mummified.


Want to find out more, check out our guide to Ancient Egyptian Mummification!


Let's get started on some Egyptian Mummification Craft Activities!


1. Mummify the Pharaoh


An open jar with salt spilled across a green surface, next to a partially cut, salt-covered tomato. Mood is casual and slightly messy. Mummification crafts for kids
Mummify a tomato - probably less messy than mummifying a Pharaoh

Unless you happen to know any recently deceased Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, it might be worth finding a craft-worthy alternative for this first step.


That's why we put together this guide to mummifying a tomato.


Extra Info:

If you're not clued up on the full Egyptian embalming process, first check out our simple guide to Ancient Egyptian Mummification.


Craft:

This fun, child-friendly learning activity takes you through the full step-by-step process of how to mummify a tomato, in exactly the same way that the Ancient Egyptians would have mummified a Pharaoh thousands of years ago.



2. Wrap the Pharaoh


Two young girls play with dolls outdoors. One wears red, the other pink. Green foliage in the background, creating a playful mood.
Barbie dolls can be Pharaohs too!

Now that you've embalmed the Pharaoh, it's important that they're properly wrapped before you pop them in their sarcophagus in the tomb. We recommend using an old Barbie doll for this fun part of the process.


Craft:

Wondering how to do all this on a Barbie doll? Panic not! Just Call Me Jamin takes you through what to do in this fun interactive activity here:



3. Crafting Canopic Jars


Four painted Egyptian canopic jars with hieroglyphs, set on a stone surface, surrounded by green leaves. Egyptian mummification crafts for kids
Canopic jars are essential for the Egyptian embalming process

After the organs were removed from the Pharaoh's body, they were often placed in special sacred containers called Canopic Jars. These four jars protected the organs and each had a different animal head to represent the Sons of Horus.

It was essential that the right organ was placed in the right jar to make sure it was properly protected.


Craft:

Create four Canopic Jars of your own out of Yogurt Pots & Air Dry Modelling Clay in this fun craft activity:



4. Design a Sarcophagus


Gold and black striped Egyptian mask with cobra motif on grass. Red flowers in the background add contrast. Mystical and historical vibe. Egyptian craft activities for kids
Re-create Tutankhamun's death mask with your craft skills

Once the Pharaoh was properly embalmed and wrapped in linen, he/she would be placed in a Sarcophagus. These were often elaborately decorated with paint and inscribed with hieroglyphics.


Craft:

Craft your own full-size Death Mask just like the one found in Tutankhamun's tomb with this fun papier-mache and painting craft:



Cut and colour:

Or create your own Egyptian Sarcophagus, first cut out and glue together this handy coffin box template to place your Mummified Pharaoh/Barbie inside:



Then print out and colour in your own Sarcophagus lid (making sure to use lots of gold!) from Kids Puzzles and Games:



Once you've completed your design, cut out the Sarcophagus lid and glue it on top of the box containing your Mummified Pharaoh/Barbie.



Blue and black Senet board with pieces arranged on a patterned background. Hieroglyphic details on the board. Game setting. Egyptian craft activities for kids
Senet was a popular board game with the Ancient Egyptians

5. Make Your Pharaoh Some Treasure


A Pharaoh's tomb would be packed full of all of his earthly valuables and treasures. The Egyptian's believed that items placed in the tomb could be used by the Pharaoh in the afterlife.



A painted cardboard sculpture featuring black and gold stripes with a bold red centre. The background is a plain light grey. Egyptian craft activities for kids
Every Pharaoh needs a cobra staff to show off in the afterlife.

Craft:

Make your Mummified Pharaoh/Barbie some treasure to pop in her tomb and take to the afterlife.


Craft this stunning Cobra Staff using just cardboard, papier mache and paint!



You could also craft this Senet board (the Ancient Egyptian board game) just like the one found in Tutankhamun's tomb so your Pharaoh has something to play with in the afterlife.



Why not go the extra mile and bury your newly mummified doll in the backyard with all the valuables she would need to take to the afterlife? Then play tomb raiders and dig her back up again before the dog sniffs her out and gets there first!


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